Tuesday, June 8, 1999 Published at 16:27 GMT 17:27 UKUK PoliticsAitken's downfall completeCamera crews and photographers greeted Jonathan Aitken at courtEx-Cabinet minister Jonathan Aitken is behind bars in a south London prison after he was jailed for perjury and perverting the course of justice.

The former Conservative MP admitted both charges earlier in the year, following the collapse of his libel case against The Guardian and World in Action.

Mr Justice Scott Baker sentenced him to 18 months in prison for each offence, with the two terms running concurrently.

The judge told Aitken he had spun a "web of deceit" from which he had not been prepared to escape by telling the truth.

From the dock, the former minister blew a kiss to his family who started to cry as the verdict was announced. He was later taken away to begin his sentence at Belmarsh jail near Woolwich, south London.

Aitken had spoken only briefly during the hearing. Asked to confirm his name was Jonathan William Patrick Aitken, he replied: "It is."

His QC, Sir John Nutting, told the court his client had already suffered enough.

"The fall from grace has been complete, his marriage has broken down, he has lost his home, he is one of only three people this century forced to resign from
the Privy Council, he is bankrupt and his health has suffered.

"His public humiliation has been absolute. These are real and considerable punishments."

Sir John said Aitken now felt "profound remorse and shame", particularly for drawing up a false witness statement for his daughter, Victoria, to sign.

The former minister's legal team later said he did not intend to appeal.

The sentence could have been far harsher. Perverting the course of justice carries a maximum sentence of life imprisonment, while perjury can be punished with a seven-year jail term.

Former Foreign Secretary Sir Malcolm Rifkind - who was Aitken's boss when he was defence procurement minister - attended the court to give evidence on Aitken's character.

The prison sentence completes the downfall of a man who previously boasted a £3m fortune and could expect a glittering career in politics or business.

Far from fulfilling his promise to "cut out the cancer of bent and twisted journalism", Aitken's libel action succeeded only in destroying almost every aspect of his life.